Mike Swisher

Training Resume

Mike Swisher, owner and lead instructor at Paladin Combatives, became fascinated with the martial arts at an early age, and in an unusual manner. At the age of twelve, he enrolled in a hunter safety course: the type of course you take in order to receive your hunting license. For Mike, however, it spawned a passion for learning and training in all things Martial.

In addition to learning to shoot and lifting weights, Mike began studying Kyokushin Karate. His training continued in the US Army Infantry (7th ID Light); corrections with the Indiana State Prison; law enforcement with the Benton Township, MI Police Department; and the Paladin Press Street Survival Seminars. Other training worth mentioning was from a regional police academy in South Bend, Indiana. This training included programs open to law enforcement in the general vicinity. Training topics included homicide investigation, building search and clear, and side handle baton certification. Most of the training was job specific, but still very worthwhile.

As it often does, life got in the way and though the spark of self-defense training went dormant for a time, it never went out. Two separate incidents brought that ember back to a roaring fire. Although it doesn’t require explanation to anyone reading this, the first was September 11, 2001. The second incident was more personal and unknown to many. While on vacation in Nashville, TN, Mike and his wife were approached from behind by a less than savory individual. Fortunately, Mike’s wife saw the man and warned him. Mike spun around and came face-to-face with the individual and managed to use enough command presence to force him to back down. A hotel clerk had seen the incident on CCTV and called the police who arrived a short time later. The police officer stated that there had been several robberies in the area by someone that met this man’s description.

Thus began the renewal of training in the way of the warrior. Slowly at first with boxing then the MI CPL (CCW) License. Soon it became a torrent of training.

Suarez International’s flagship course. This was the first class that I came across the concept of shooting AND moving. It was the beginning of my movement away from the Modern Technique of the pistol.

This is Suarez Internationals entry level rifle class. It builds a very good foundation. As with many of the other classes listed here I took it twice because if you are going to teach the material you have to know it well.

The AR was not what Suarez was known for at the time, but when I took this class it was from Craig Flaherty a dormant Marine and veteran Police officer who runs a M4 frequently with an entry team. Craig really got me back up to speed on the platform.

The shotgun has really lost its place as the go to long gun to the rifle for most people. There are still a lot of them out there so it makes sense to know how to run one well. No, it isn’t as simple as point it in the general direction of your threat and shoot.

Much of the information from CRG, but in the dark. Is it different from doing it during the day? Yes and for more reasons than you might think. Everyone who carries a gun should carry a flashlight, and not just to see what you are shooting at.

Denny is a master Revolversmith often featured in articles by Masad Ayoob. He is also one heck of a shooter and teacher. Denny is now retired from a long career in Law Enforcement and spends his time at his gun store and Range, Sand Burr Gun Range.

This class is taught by Tom Givens and his staff at Rangemaster in Memphis, TN. Tom has a great reputation in the gun training community and with good reason. Over 60 of his students have been victorious in gunfights. This class included among other things, giving an oral presentation to other instructors, passing a written test, and passing the current FBI Q-course with a score of 90% or better.

Pat McNamara is a former member of the premier Army Special Forces unit Delta. Now retired he is passing on his knowledge and experience to others. With a very intense personality, he makes an interesting instructor.

This annual event hosted by Tom Givens of Rangemaster is a must attend for any serious student of the gun (or knife, or H2H). Tom brings together many of the big names in the field as well talented newcomers to teach two hour blocks on many different subjects. Some of the presenters in 2013 included Craig Douglas, Claude Werner, Massad Ayoob, Rob Pincus, and many more.

An invaluable experience for me. I got to teach and learn from so many good students and work with a lot of great instructors. In four “seasons” of teaching for Suarez I gained a ton of useful insights and new methods for teaching.

This is a style of shooting developed by D.R. Middlebrooks and is called Defensive Speed Shooting on the cover of the Fist-Fire book. It is a type of index shooting, but because of the solid index’s learned in the system it can greatly aid in sighted fire by putting your sights right where you need them when you arrive at full extension.

Paul Sharp is one of D. R.’s top instructors. He did a great job of presenting the system and coaching everyone until they were able to use it pretty well. I would definitely take another class with Paul and will most likely continue my study of the Fist-Fire method.

This class is a follow up to the Rangemaster 3 day Instructor Development Course. Tom Givens is very much a proponent of fast and accurate shooting. Not only do I learn a lot about teaching in his classes, but they always challenge me to become a better shooter.

Pat McNamara had a strong recommendation to train with his old team member. This was good advice. I can honestly say this was one of the best classes I have been to. Mike had a great combination of personality, teaching ability, knowledge, and real world experience. He described Advanced as meaning detailed and advanced explanation. That is what we got. This could have very easily been labeled an Instructor class as we delved deep into many facets of marksmanship, techniques, and tactics. http://www.ctt-solutions.com/about-us/mike-pannone/ I would highly recommend training with Mike if you get the chance.